Visitors in front of the Bihar pavilion at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Telegraph picture

Traditional women artists practising globally acclaimed Bihar folk art forms Madhubani, Sikki and Tikuli have proved their mettle at the ongoing India International Trade Fair in New Delhi.

The Bihar pavilion, prepared by around 40 women artists from the state, has bagged gold medal for being the best among over 50 pavilions at the ongoing 34th IITF being held at Pragati Maidan in the national capital.

The industries department, through its training institution for artisans, Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan, which roped in the women artists, developed the pavilion on the theme of the fair, “women entrepreneurship”. This is the first time since the inception of the fair in 1980 that Bihar has won the best pavilion award.

Confirming the development, industries minister Bhim Singh told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi on Thursday: “We have been informed about selection of our pavilion for gold medal by the organisers of the fair, which would be given to us during a formal prize distribution ceremony on the concluding day. It is a proud moment for the state.”

The IITF 2014 was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee on November 14 and it would conclude on November 27. With South Africa as the partner country, Thailand as the focus country and Delhi as the focus state, the fair is being participated by over 6,500 companies from 25 countries.

State industries director Shailesh Thakur said a formal communication regarding the selection of Bihar pavilion as the best one was given by India Trade Promotion Organisation, the organiser of the event, on Thursday afternoon. “We have showcased several women achievers from the state in the pavilion through few of the famous art and craft medium,” said Shailesh.

Ashok Kumar Sinha, deputy director of Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan claimed that the Bihar pavilion is witnessing the highest footfall in the fair. “We have used Madhubani painting on the front facade of the pavilion and Sikki art, a traditional handicraft of women from Mithila region, on the entrance gate. Madhubani painting, Tikuli art and bamboo craft have been used for decorating the roof of the three halls inside the pavilion. Besides, live demonstration of Manjusha, Sikki and terracotta art forms is also being given at the pavilion,” said Sinha.